Amid the growing split in the golf world, Tiger Woods turned down a contract worth $700-$800 million to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series, according to its CEO, Greg Norman. Woods has been an ardent supporter of the existing PGA Tour, as it tries to fend off competition from the upstart LIV.
Even though Woods did not take the payout, he is still one of the highest-earning athletes in the world, taking home over $68 million over the last year. Nearly all of his income came via endorsements as he works his way back to fitness after a 2021 car accident. Still, there are over a dozen other athletes who earned more than the golf legend.Â
To determine the world’s richest athletes, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on earnings from some of the world’s most high-profile athletes from Forbes. Earnings are from May 2021 to May 2022. On-the-field income includes salary prize money and bonuses, while off-the-field income includes endorsements, licensing fees, appearances, and cash returns from investments. Supplemental information came from the Sports Reference family of sites, and is accurate as of Aug. 1, 2022. An athlete’s country was determined to be the one they represent in international competitions.
The 50 highest paid athletes in the world hail from 15 different countries, though the vast majority (35) are American. These American athletes primarily play in domestic sports leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB, though a few golfers and a tennis player cracked the list as well.
The 50 highest paid athletes in the world earned almost $3 billion combined over the past year. NBA and NFL players make up the majority of the list, with more than 30 players earning over $37 million between the two leagues. In other sports like golf, soccer, auto racing, and boxing, only the very top earners were able to make the list. (It’s worth noting, though, how much the best paid athletes paid in taxes.)
It is worth noting that some of the athletes’ on-field earnings are somewhat inflated. Teams often front-load or back-load big contracts, paying players huge sums to skirt the salary cap. Some of the players on this list made tens of millions of dollars over the last year, despite being injured or playing poorly, as they were at the end of massive contracts. These are the most overpaid athletes in pro sports.
50. T.J. Watt
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $37.6 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $36.6 million; Off-the-field: $1 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
> Country: United States
49. Bradley Beal
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $37.7 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $33.7 million; Off-the-field: $4 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Washington Wizards
> Country: United States
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46. Russell Wilson
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $38 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $24 million; Off-the-field: $14 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Denver Broncos
> Country: United States
46. Jake Paul
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $38 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $30 million; Off-the-field: $8 million
> Sport: Boxing
> Team: N/A
> Country: United States
46. Kemba Walker
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $38 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $35 million; Off-the-field: $3 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Detroit Pistons
> Country: United States
45. Stefon Diggs
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $38.7 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $36.2 million; Off-the-field: $2.5 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Buffalo Bills
> Country: United States
44. Ryan Ramczyk
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $38.8 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $38.7 million; Off-the-field: $100,000
> Sport: Football
> Team: New Orleans Saints
> Country: United States
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43. Chris Paul
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $39.1 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $31.1 million; Off-the-field: $8 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Phoenix Suns
> Country: United States
41. Amari Cooper
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $39.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $38.9 million; Off-the-field: $500,000
> Sport: Football
> Team: Cleveland Browns
> Country: United States
41. Dak Prescott
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $39.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $27.4 million; Off-the-field: $12 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Dallas Cowboys
> Country: United States
40. Joel Embiid
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $39.7 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $31.7 million; Off-the-field: $8 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Philadelphia 76ers
> Country: Cameroon
39. Devin Booker
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $39.9 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $31.9 million; Off-the-field: $8 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Phoenix Suns
> Country: United States
38. Marshon Lattimore
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $40.9 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $40.8 million; Off-the-field: 100000
> Sport: Football
> Team: New Orleans Saints
> Country: United States
37. Rory McIlroy
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $41.5 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $7.5 million; Off-the-field: $34 million
> Sport: Golf
> Team: N/A
> Country: Northern Ireland
35. Conor McGregor
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $43 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $33 million; Off-the-field: $10 million
> Sport: Mixed Martial Arts
> Team: N/A
> Country: Ireland
35. Kylian Mbappé
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $43 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $28 million; Off-the-field: $15 million
> Sport: Soccer
> Team: Paris Saint-Germain
> Country: France
34. John Wall
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $44.8 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $44.3 million; Off-the-field: $500,000
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Clippers
> Country: United States
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33. Mohamed Salah
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $45 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $27 million; Off-the-field: $18 million
> Sport: Soccer
> Team: Liverpool
> Country: Egypt
31. Serena Williams
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $45.3 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $300,000; Off-the-field: $45 million
> Sport: Tennis
> Team: N/A
> Country: United States
31. Phil Mickelson
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $45.3 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $3.3 million; Off-the-field: $42 million
> Sport: Golf
> Team: N/A
> Country: United States
29. Anthony Davis
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $45.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $35.4 million; Off-the-field: $10 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Lakers
> Country: United States
29. Kawhi Leonard
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $45.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $39.4 million; Off-the-field: $6 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Clippers
> Country: United States
28. Paul George
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $47.9 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $39.4 million; Off-the-field: $8.5 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Clippers
> Country: United States
26. Jimmy Butler
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $48 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $36 million; Off-the-field: $12 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Miami Heat
> Country: United States
26. Max Verstappen
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $48 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $46 million; Off-the-field: $2 million
> Sport: Auto Racing
> Team: Red Bull Racing
> Country: Netherlands
25. Kirk Cousins
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $48.5 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $46 million; Off-the-field: $2.5 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Minnesota Vikings
> Country: United States
24. Patrick Mahomes
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $49.1 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $29.1 million; Off-the-field: $20 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Kansas City Chiefs
> Country: United States
23. Mike Trout
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $49.5 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $35.5 million; Off-the-field: $14 million
> Sport: Baseball
> Team: Los Angeles Angels
> Country: United States
22. Klay Thompson
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $55 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $38 million; Off-the-field: $17 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Golden State Warriors
> Country: United States
21. Deshaun Watson
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $55.6 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $55.5 million; Off-the-field: $100,000
> Sport: Football
> Team: Cleveland Browns
> Country: United States
20. Damian Lillard
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $57.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $39.4 million; Off-the-field: $18 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Portland Trail Blazers
> Country: United States
19. Naomi Osaka
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $59.2 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $1.2 million; Off-the-field: $58 million
> Sport: Tennis
> Team: N/A
> Country: Japan
18. Tyson Fury
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $62 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $60 million; Off-the-field: $2 million
> Sport: Boxing
> Team: N/A
> Country: United Kingdom
17. Lewis Hamilton
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $65 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $57 million; Off-the-field: $8 million
> Sport: Auto Racing
> Team: Mercedes
> Country: United Kingdom
16. Josh Allen
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $67 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $63 million; Off-the-field: $4 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Buffalo Bills
> Country: United States
15. Aaron Rodgers
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $68 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $57 million; Off-the-field: $11 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Green Bay Packers
> Country: United States
14. Tiger Woods
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $68 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $40,000; Off-the-field: $68 million
> Sport: Golf
> Team: N/A
> Country: United States
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13. Matthew Stafford
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $72.3 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $69.8 million; Off-the-field: $2.5 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Los Angeles Rams
> Country: United States
12. James Harden
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $74.4 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $44.4 million; Off-the-field: $30 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Philadelphia 76ers
> Country: United States
11. Russell Westbrook
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $79.2 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $44.2 million; Off-the-field: $35 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Lakers
> Country: United States
10. Giannis Antetokounmpo
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $80.9 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $39.9 million; Off-the-field: $41 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Milwaukee Bucks
> Country: Greece
9. Tom Brady
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $83.9 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $31.9 million; Off-the-field: $52 million
> Sport: Football
> Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
> Country: United States
8. Canelo Alvarez
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $90 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $85 million; Off-the-field: $5 million
> Sport: Boxing
> Team: N/A
> Country: Mexico
7. Roger Federer
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $90.7 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $700,000; Off-the-field: $90 million
> Sport: Tennis
> Team: N/A
> Country: Switzerland
6. Kevin Durant
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $92.1 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $42.1 million; Off-the-field: $50 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Brooklyn Nets
> Country: United States
5. Stephen Curry
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $92.8 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $45.8 million; Off-the-field: $47 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Golden State Warriors
> Country: United States
4. Neymar
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $95 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $70 million; Off-the-field: $25 million
> Sport: Soccer
> Team: Paris Saint-Germain
> Country: Brazil
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3. Cristiano Ronaldo
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $115 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $60 million; Off-the-field: $55 million
> Sport: Soccer
> Team: Manchester United
> Country: Portugal
2. LeBron James
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $121.2 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $41.2 million; Off-the-field: $80 million
> Sport: Basketball
> Team: Los Angeles Lakers
> Country: United States
1. Lionel Messi
> Total earnings from May 2021 to May 2022: $130 million
> Earnings split: On-the-field: $75 million; Off-the-field: $55 million
> Sport: Soccer
> Team: Paris Saint-Germain
> Country: Argentina
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